Mingo County Health Dept. promoting fitness, exercise

WILLIAMSON - The Mingo County Health Department is encouraging all area women to get up and get healthy.

Reaching and maintaining a healthy weight is very important for overall health, and can help women prevent and control many diseases and conditions.

About two-thirds of adult females in the United States are overweight or obese, according to information released by the health department. If they are overweight or obese, they are at a higher risk of developing heart disease.

In the age group for females 20 to 30 years of age, more than half are reported to be overweight and approximately one-third are in the obese category. For those women ranging from 40-50 years of age, 66 percent are overweight and 42 percent are obese.

You are encouraged to know your body mass index, and you may obtain that information by visiting the website NHLBISUPPORT.COB/BMI/. Fifteen percent of women above the age of 30 who registered on this site are underweight, 25 percent are normal, 30 percent were overweight and 30 percent were obese.

High blood pressure is the force against the walls of arteries. High blood pressure (hypertension) increases your chance of heart disease, and is dangerous because it has no symptoms. Prevent high blood pressure by reducing sodium (salt) intake, being active and keeping a healthy weight. Nearly one in every three American women has been diagnosed with high blood pressure.

Inactive people are nearly twice as likely to develop heart disease as those who are active. Thirty-three percent of women ages 45-64 years of age are physically inactive. The good news is that physical activity can protect your heart and you don’t have to run a marathon to see results. Regular physical activity can also reduce your chances of developing high cholesterol and high blood pressure.

Aim for at least two hours and 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week. Talk a walk around the block, dance to at least three of your favorite tunes, go for a bike ride, stroll through the mall; the opportunity for exercise is all around you.